Those who have Messianic hope, including the Jewish temple delegation, come from Jerusalem to the place on the river across the Jordan where John, Elizabeth and priest Zechariah’s son is Baptizing.

Those who have traveled out from the Jewish temple ask, “Who are you?” John responds, “I am not the Messiah.”

They respond, “What then? Are you Elijah?” John responds, “I am not.”

They ask, “Are you the prophet?” John responds, “No.”

They say, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

John’s answers are concise as harbinger, the forerunner of Jesus, bringing seekers into repentance and Baptizing so that their hearts and minds will be ready and able to hear Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John says, “I came Baptizing with water for this reason, that He might be revealed to Israel.” Revealed to us as John testifies that the Spirit of God descends on Jesus like a dove.

John The Baptizer knows by faith that the eyes of the Lord are on our souls. We are not worthy for the Savior to love us to the point of giving His life for us but He does. John says, “I am not worthy to untie the thong of His sandal.” So unworthy are we yet Jesus comes to us. The Baptist says, “He must increase but I must decrease.” (John 3:30) My friend, what do you say about yourself? Is Jesus at the first and foremost in all that you are and do? Place your full faith in Jesus. Jesus is worthy.

Our text today directs us to both water Baptism and New Birth, “He will Baptize with the Holy Spirit,” Only One can provide salvation for us. “This is the Son Of God, ” John says, “Make straight the way” he quotes from Isaiah 40:3. Let us rid and reject all crooked things and live with surety of Whose we are– we belong to Jesus by faith and by confession and repentance as we are vessels for the Holiness of His Spirit.